Too soon to mention the 'C' word, that is...Christmas. Those of you of a more organised ilk will have the whole thing underway by now and be powering through your Christmas gift list. You must tell me how you do it (I'm asking for a friend).
But, as the new school year begins and the nights start drawing in, if your thoughts ARE turning to some Christmas sewing I thought I'd do a little round up of Christmas tutorials. There are some small, quick projects, as well as some ideas for throw quilts.
Oh Christmas Tree...
My Christmassy version of the Homely Joys pattern replaces the topiary trees of the original with darling little pine trees. Homely Joys is available as a PDF pattern a Paper pattern. The tutorial for adding the pine trees is here and you can download a PDF version of the tutorial here.
Hang by the Chimney With Care
If you only have time to make one pine tree block - or have a test block going spare, like me - then this quick Christmas Stocking tutorial is for you. You can find it here.
Holly Wreath Cushion
I designed the Holly Sprig block for the first Moda Bakeshop Countdown to Christmas series and you can find that turorial here. I made four blocks and turned them into a quick cushion - here - although if you wanted to make more they'd make a lovely throw quilt.
Wintersweet
Last year I actually did get my act together and made a classic Irish chain quilt. You can find part one of the tutorial here, part two - which covers the hand quilting - here and part three here. Or you can find a downloadable PDF pattern here.
All wrapped up
Finally, my contribution to last year's Moda Bakeshop Countdown to Christmas was a Dala Horse block, here. The block can be made in two sizes and I wrote a tutorial here for a gift bag/tote bag which makes good use of both. The gift bag caught Jenny Doan's eye at last month's Festival of Quilts and she modelled it beautifully
.
Post Script:
I have just ooone more project for you...although I can't share a photo just yet. In next month's Today's Quilter I have a new Christmas project that you'll be able to rustle up in no time. Sewing Quarter will be kitting it and I'll be demoing it on the 10th of October. See you then...
Nicola xx